Nawaz Manzoor
Coronavirus a new deadly virus was first found in 1937. The researchers found the virus responsible for an infectious bronchitis virus in birds that had the ability to devastate poultry stocks. Later on, the virus was also found in humans with having a single common cold. Pertinent to mention that the two human related coronaviruses OC43 and 229E are largely responsible for the common colds. The name “coronavirus” comes from crown-like projections on their surfaces. “Corona” in Latin means “halo” or “crown”. Among humans, coronavirus infections most often occur during the winter months and early spring. People regularly become ill with a cold due to coronavirus and may catch the same one about 4 months later. This is because coronavirus antibodies do not last for a long time. Also, the antibodies for one strain of coronavirus may be ineffective against another one as well. The latest virus which is known as “COVID-19” was born-out in the Wuhan city of China in December last year and was declared Pandemic by the world Health Organization due to its rapid spreading and effected more than 150 countries around the globe. The virus has killed more than 50,000 human lives and infected nearly a million people worldwide. In India the virus has affected over 2069 people and claimed more than 50 deaths so far. And in the erstwhile state of J&K the virus has affected over 70 people, resulting in 2 deaths so far. Day in and day out, the virus is spreading like a wild fire, devastated the mightiest countries of the world and crashed the world economy brutally in no time.
What do you know about coronaviruses?
Coronaviruses are types of viruses that typically affect the respiratory tracts of birds and mammals, including humans. Doctors associate them with the common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and COVID-19. They can also affect the gut.These viruses are typically responsible for common colds more than serious diseases. However, coronaviruses are also behind some more severe outbreaks.
Over the last 70 years, scientists have found that coronaviruses can infect rats, dogs, cats, horses, pigs, and cattle. Sometimes, these animals can transmit coronaviruses to humans. The first people with COVID-19 had links to an animal and seafood market. This fact suggested that animals initially transmitted the virus to humans. However, people with a more recent diagnosis had no connections with or exposure to the market, confirming that humans can pass the virus to each other. Information on the virus is scarce at present. In the past, respiratory conditions that developed from coronaviruses, such as SARS and MERS, have spread through close contacts.The WHO reports claims that the two groups which are most at risk of experiencing severe illness due to a SARS-CoV-2 infection are the older adults, defined as “over 60 years old”, and individuals who have other health conditions that compromise their immune system. According to the CDC (mention full form) children are not at higher risk for COVID-19 as are the adults. While there are currently no published scientific reports about the susceptibility of pregnant women, the CDC notes that: “Pregnant women experience immunologic and physiologic changes which might make them more susceptible to viral respiratory infections, including COVID-19.The CDC also recommended that infants born to mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are placed in isolation as a “person under investigation. Symptoms of COVID-19 Symptoms vary from person-to-person with COVID-19. It may produce a few or no symptoms. However, it can also lead to severe illness and may be fatal. Common symptoms like fever, breathlessness, cough, loss of taste or smell. It may take 2–14 days for a person to notice symptoms after infection. There is no vaccine or concrete treatment available of the virus albeith the scientific communities are tirelessly working for a vaccine to save more and more human lives. This could allow for early detection and treatment in people who have the virus but are not yet showing symptoms.The National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggest that several groups of people have the highest risk of developing complications due to COVID-19. These groups include: young childrenaged 65 years or older women who are pregnant. The CDC advises that although there have been reports of complications in young children, these are rare. COVID-19 most commonly produces mild symptoms in children. General symptoms of coronaviruses: Cold – or flu-like symptoms usually set in from 2–4 days after a coronavirus infection and are typically mild. However, symptoms vary from person-to-person, and some forms of the virus can be fatal. Symptoms may include : sneezing nose fatigue cough fever and sore throat exacerbated asthma. Scientists cannot easily cultivate human coronaviruses in the laboratory unlike the rhinovirus, which is another cause of the common cold. This makes it difficult to gauge the impact of the coronavirus on national economies and public health. There is no cure for coronaviruses that causes symptoms resembling the common cold. Treatments include self-care and over-the-counter (OTC) medication. People can take several steps, including:
Resting and avoiding overexertion
Drinking enough water
Avoiding smoking and smoky areas
Taking acetaminophen for pain and fever
Using a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer
A doctor can diagnose the virus responsible by taking a sample of respiratory fluids, such as mucus from the nose, or blood.
Transmission: Limited research is available on how HCoV spreads from one person to the next.However, researchers believe that the viruses transmit via fluids in the respiratory system, such as mucus. Coronaviruses can spread in the following ways: Coughing and sneezing without covering the mouth can disperse droplets into the air, touching or shaking hands with a person who has the virus can pass the virus between individuals, making contact with a surface or object that has the virus and then touching the nose, eyes, or mouth. Some animal coronaviruses, such as feline coronavirus (FCoV), may spread through contact with feces. However, it is unclear whether this also applies to human coronaviruses. Coronaviruses will infect most people at some time during their lifetime. To prevent transmission, people should stay at home and rest while symptoms are active. They should also avoid close contact with other people.Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or handkerchief while coughing or sneezing can also help prevent transmission. It is important to dispose of any tissues after use and maintain hygiene around the home.
The Coronavirus myths:
1. Spraying chlorine or alcohol on skin kills viruses in the body: Applying alcohol or chlorine to the body can cause harm, especially if it enters the eyes or mouth. Although people can use these chemicals to disinfect surfaces, they should not use them on skin. These products cannot kill viruses within the body.
2. Only older adults and young people are at risk: SARS-CoV-2, like other coronaviruses, can infect people of any age. However, older adults or individuals with preexisting health conditions, such as diabetes or asthma, are more likely to become severely ill.
3. Children cannot catch COVID-19:All age groups can become infected. Most cases, so far, have been in adults, but children are not immune. In fact, preliminary evidence shows that children are just as likely to become infected, but their symptoms tend to be less severe.
4. Thermal scanners can diagnose coronavirus: Thermal scanners can detect whether someone has a fever. However, other conditions, such as seasonal flu, can also produce fever. In addition, symptoms of COVID-19 can appear 2–10 days after infection, which means that someone infected with the virus could have a normal temperature for a few days before a fever begins.
5. The virus will die off when temperatures rise in the spring: Some viruses, such as cold and flu viruses, do spread more easily in the colder months, but that does not mean that they stop entirely when conditions become milder. As it stands, scientists do not knowhow temperature changes will influence the behavior of SARS-CoV-2.
6. Coronavirus is the deadliest virus known to man: Although SARS-CoV-2 does appear to be more serious than influenza, it is not the deadliest virus that people have faced. Others, such as Ebola, have higher mortality rates.
7. Face masks protect against coronavirus: Healthcare workers use professional face masks, which fit tightly around the face, to protect them against infection. However, disposable face masks are unlikely to provide such protection. As these masks do not fit neatly against the face, droplets can still enter the mouth and nose. Also, tiny viral particles can penetrate directly through the material. However, if someone has a respiratory illness, wearing a mask can help protect others from becoming infected. There is very little evidence that wearing such masks protects the wearer from infection.
8. Everyone with COVID-19 dies: This statement is untrue. As we have mentioned above, COVID-19 is only fatal for a small percentage of people. The WHO also report that around 80% of people will experience a relatively mild form of the disease, which will not require specialist treatment in a hospital. Mild symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, tiredness, and shortness of breath.
(The Author is a student at the department of international studies at AMU Aligarh, Views are his own, [email protected]).